HC Deb 31 October 1949 vol 469 cc4-5
4. Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Works to what extent consideration has been given to the construction of an underground garage in the new layout proposed for Parliament Square, like the one in St. Francis Square, San Francisco, or on similar lines.

The Minister of Works (Mr. Key)

The construction of an underground garage under Parliament Square would involve very heavy expenditure, and Parliament Square would be less suitable for this purpose than most London squares, owing among other things to the fact that the Underground Railway crosses the Square diagonally just below the surface.

Mr. Bossom

Does the Minister realise that the question of an underground railway could be handled and has been handled in other places, and will he see that nothing is done to prevent something of this sort from being undertaken at a later date, because there is a great desire and need for garage space in this part of London?

Mr. Key

I will bear it in mind; but I do not know that there is greater need here than in many other places in London.